HC Deb 20 January 1943 vol 386 c199
37. Captain Peter Macdonald

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether he has under consideration any scheme for assisting the rehabilitation and development of hotel and boarding-house accommodation in English seaside resorts in the immediate post-war period?

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning (Mr. Hicks)

Every endeavour will be made to hand back to their owners any requisitioned hotel and boarding-house accommodation in English seaside resorts at the earliest practicable date after the cessation of hostilities. Where only chattels, but not the premises, have been requisitioned, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on 18th November last to the hon. Member for Horncastle (Mr. Haslam).

Captain Macdonald

My Question referred to the rehabilitation of the industry after the war; who is responsible and who is dealing with it at the present time?

Mr. Hicks

My Ministry is dealing with it, and every step will be taken to restore hotels after the war.

Captain Macdonald

The Question does not deal solely with the requisitioning of the industry, but with its rehabilitation after the war.

Mr. Hicks

After we have requisitioned we shall rehabilitate.

Mr. Thorne

Will they be put back into the old conditions suitable for accommodation?

Mr. Hicks

I cannot guarantee the form in which they will be returned after the war, but I can say on the general question that any hotels requisitioned will be made habitable.

Mr. Kirkwood

What is the Minister doing to make dwellings habitable for the working class?

Mr. Hicks

We hope to do it simultaneously.